Peter Dutton is the new leader of the Liberal Party after a partyroom vote, with former environment minister Sussan Ley elected as deputy.
Mr Dutton had been all but confirmed as the next opposition leader as he was the only person to put his hand up for the job.
He replaces Scott Morrison who resigned from the position after the Coalition’s election defeat.
Both Mr Dutton and Ms Ley were elected unopposed for their positions.
Speaking after the vote, Mr Morrison expressed his congratulations to both Mr Dutton and Ms Ley.
“They’re incredibly experienced, well-versed, deeply committed Australians to both the Liberal cause and, of course, the cause of the nation,” he said.
“I think they’ll do an outstanding job and I look forward to giving them all of my full support.”
Mr Dutton, a hardline conservative within the Liberal Party, has sought to recast his image in the past week ahead of today’s vote and becoming Opposition Leader.
(ABC)
